Infla-Med Promotor
Prof. Dr. Guido De Meyer - Research group Physiopharmacology (PHYSPHAR)
Focuses on morphological and haemodynamic changes in atherosclerotic plaques and elucidating the roles of cell death processes and neo‑angiogenesis in plaque instability, with direct links to pharmacological modulation.
Infla-Med Copromotors
Prof. Dr. Vincent Segers - Research group Physiopharmacology (PHYSPHAR)
Focuses on heart failure with emphasis on intercellular communication and the NRG1/ERBB pathway as a shared mechanism in cardiac dysfunction and cancer. He seeks to deepen mechanistic insight into heart failure and atrial myopathy and to drive the development of innovative treatments.
Prof. Dr. Tom Vanden Berghe - Research group Cell Death Signaling Lab (CDS)
Conducts applied research in cell death, ferroptosis, and inflammation, with applications ranging from critical illness and brain injury to kidney and vascular disease. The lab also pioneers ferroptosis‑driven cancer therapies supported by nanomedicine.
Prof. Dr. Andy Wullaert - Research group Cell Death Signaling Lab (CDS)
Investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which pyroptosis contributes to autoinflammatory diseases and infections. His group uses an extensive set of genetic mouse models with loss‑ and gain‑of‑function mutations in key signaling proteins that regulate pyroptosis.
Prof. Dr. Benedicte De Winter - Research group Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics (LEMP)
Focuses on inflammation, visceral pain, and intestinal barrier function, with a strong emphasis on the two most common gastrointestinal disorders: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The LEMP group centers its work on inflammation‑driven, clinically relevant questions and interdisciplinary research.
Prof. Dr. Annemieke Smet - Research group Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics (LEMP)
Studies how specific mucin isoforms contribute to mucosal barrier dysfunction in GI and respiratory diseases such as IBD, GI cancers, RSV, COVID‑19, and COPD, with additional focus on mucin–microbe crosstalk to support biomarker discovery and new therapeutic strategies.
Prof. Dr. Sven Francque - Research group Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics (LEMP)
Investigates the pathophysiology of Metabolic‑Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), with a particular focus on vascular and inflammatory mechanisms and the development of portal hypertension.
Prof. Dr. Guy Caljon - Research group Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH)
Studies protozoan parasitic infections (Leishmania, African trypanosomes) with a focus on drug discovery, immunoparasitology, and vector‑borne transmission. His work aims to clarify host–pathogen interactions and immune mechanisms that drive tissue colonization, disease progression, and treatment success.
Prof. Dr. Ingrid De Meester - Research group Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB)
Examines structure–function relationships of physiologically relevant proteins, with emphasis on target identification, characterization, and clinical translation. The lab is internationally recognized for its expertise in DPP family enzymes, FAP, PREP, PRCP, and CPU
Prof. Dr. Pieter Van der Veken - Research group Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC)
Works on identifying molecules that interfere with key cell‑death and survival pathways, including pyroptosis, apoptosis, and autophagy, and on developing compounds targeting dysregulated mechanisms in cancer and neurodegeneration. Infectious disease research is also part of the portfolio.
Infla-Med Members
Prof. Dr. Anja Verhulst - Prof. Dr. Wim Martinet - Prof. Dr. Pieter-Jan Guns - Prof. Dr. Lynn Roth - Prof. Dr. Gilles De Keulenaer - Prof. Dr. Didier Ebo - Prof. Dr. Philippe Jorens - Prof. Dr. Stijn Verhulst - Prof. Dr. Kevin Lamote - Prof. Dr. Heiko De Schepper - Prof. Dr. Thérèse Lapperre - Prof. Dr. Peter Delputte - Prof. Dr. Paul Cos - Prof. Dr. Alvaro Baeza Garcia - Prof. Dr. Yann Sterckx - Prof. Dr. Koen Augustyns - Prof. Dr. Hans De Winter - Prof. Dr. Michaela Prothiwa